Did Paul practice a private form of a tongue?

1 Corinthians 14:18-19

I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Charismatics often cite this verse to justify speaking in tongues by claiming Paul practiced it privately.

The purpose of Paul’s letter, however, was not to encourage the use of tongues, but rather to confront the pride of the Corinthian congregation, who used the gift for self-serving purposes where some believers assumed superiority due to the fact that they spoke in different dialects.

The Greek word for “tongue” used in this verse is “glōssa”, which refers to a human language or dialect. It is important to note that in the New Testament, this term consistently points to foreign languages that were previously unknown to the speaker but supernaturally enabled by the Holy Spirit. For example: Acts 2:4-11 provides a clear demonstration of this, where the apostles spoke in authentic, recognizable languages that were understood by people from various nations.

In the context of 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is addressing the misuse of this gift. The Corinthians were elevating the gift of tongues to a status it was never meant to have. Paul emphasizes the need for edification within the church and deems it more valuable to speak words that teach and build up others than to utter thousands of unintelligible words in a foreign language.

The  Apostle Paul had miraculously spoken in foreign languages more than anyone else. He also wanted the church to  understand that love triumphed over all gifts.

1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (NKJV)

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Paul’s priority was to use the gifts within the body of the church to build up others. The self-centered approach to the gift, which was prevalent in Corinth, was discouraged.